Carcinogenic shoes on market, Turkish minister warns

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Around 33,000 shoes that were brought to Turkey illegally and contained carcinogenic material are already on the market, Customs and Trade Minister Nurettin Canikli has said, adding that a probe has been opened into the incident. 

“Around 33,000 shoes were understood to contain carcinogenic material during our routine controls in customs. We have decided to destroy them. The problem is that these products are [sold to the domestic market] illegally,” Canikli said in a press conference Nov 27. 

The ministry has appointed two inspectors to investigate around 33,000 imported shoes that had been set to be sold in unknown shops.

“Our ministry has assigned two inspectors on the incident. Meanwhile, the brands and types of the shoes have been determined, and their pictures have been sent to our departments in 81 provinces, in case these products with carcinogenic material are already on the market,” the statement said.

Canikli said they know the brands but that it would not be appropriate to announce their names at the moment.